To me, this movie is perfection.

Terrible acting, screenplay and direction.

Such a frustrating disappointment

It's the kind of movie you'll want to see a second time with someone who hasn't seen it yet, to remember what it was like to watch it for the first time.

****SPOILERS**** Read No Further. If you haven't already seen this production, do so before you read this review - you'll thank yourself later, believe me. Yeah, I was thinking the same thing everyone else was - why didn't Quaid just shoot the s.o.b. before he killed the girl? In my humble, but correct opinion, SHE was the savior in this movie. she was the one who sang the lullaby to her baby before she was so brutally murdered; thereby saving Quaid and the kid. As crappy as it sounds to say, I was really torn up by the who-was-who in this confusing mass of contradictions, until that point. It became very clear, then, that neither side was truly innocent. The next "cleansing" that takes place over there will probably prove that out. It is always very interesting to watch religions at work on each other; so convinced that they are right that they can get away with anything. The settings were truthfully bleak, the 10th century minds were horribly real, the ending was not hopeful, except, just possibly the kid's....and Quaid's. Mr. Quaid's acting was very good, but I have a problem with his continual frown. See, when you've done so much killing, it becomes routine, long after the anger has left -- I believe. Kinsky's part was too small, and I bought the movie from Amazon... Just to remind myself that people are sometimes very courageous, indeed. This is a strong 10.

I first remember watching this movie back when I was 8 as my dads was a really big fan of war movies. The movie has stuck with me ever since. The end scene was the one that really stayed in mind but as a kid I did not really understand the movie but whenever I heard that song I could not handle it. I've always tried to find the movie but I did not know the name, I finally found it today and watched again and I am completely amazed at how great this movie is. I now understand what its truly about and also don't recommend for kids to watch this as it sort of traumatized me a bit back in the day. Now I'm 20 and I still admit it affected me, but it sure does make you realize things and open your eyes a bit more. Very powerful, heart breaking but worth watching.

Arguably flawed, but boy did this knock me on my butt.A film about the horror and brutality of war, but this one got to me in a way very few have. Dennis Quaid is simply great, and while there are a few clichés, and a little forced symbolism, the tension and emotions run very high throughout, and there are a number of scenes I will simply never forget. An American whose wife and child are killed by terrorists joins the foreign legion after going on his own killing spree in revenge, only to re find his humanity in the midst of the Serb Croat war, rescuing a woman and her child. The first and last thirds are flat out brilliant.

The quality of this film is not measured by it's oversights and errors but of the moments of brilliance. Dennis Quaid does seem to drift in and out of his best acting - who knows why - and some of the scenes are pure Hollywood convenience. But at other times the film is tight and suspense is built superbly without using dialogue. Oliver Stone is truly a master.The truth in this film is so apparent that you get the feeling that this story could be superimposed onto any war in history. The immediate black and white moral decisions that people face in war are displayed clearly; if a mistake is made, you die, that's all there is to it; knowing when assistance cannot be given is a skill to be learned; and in the end you realise that people will do it all again, having learned nothing.After toying briefly in the beginning with political world comment, this film steers clear of further judgements and side taking and moves skillfully along a path of a true people story.